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The Law Office Of Mark P. Rankin P.A.
877-620-0898
Attorney Mark P. Rankin sitting on courthouse steps

Providing Experienced & Steadfast Criminal Defense

Attorney Mark P. Rankin sitting on courthouse steps

Florida Federal Crime Lawyer

When criminal charges arise at the federal level, you can face significant legal consequences. The legal and personal stakes are as high as you can possibly experience, but you still have many rights. Getting a skilled, experienced Florida federal criminal lawyer immediately should be your top priority.

At The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A., Tampa federal criminal defense attorney Mark Rankin has the experience and skill to provide a personalized and dedicated defense of his clients’ rights in Florida. Individuals from the greater Tampa Bay area and across west central Florida, facing criminal charges ranging from narcotics to firearms charges, turn to him for defense they can trust. The hallmark of his work is tailor-made defense strategies and highly responsive communication.

Why Choose The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A.?

Attorney Rankin understands that legal issues don’t adhere to a nine-to-five schedule. That’s why he makes himself available when you need him most, even outside regular office hours. He’s here to offer you support and guidance whenever you require it.

Mark takes pride in his meticulous attention to detail. This is especially true in complex fraud cases that many other attorneys may not fully grasp. His deep understanding of federal sentencing guidelines sets him apart and allows him to navigate these challenging waters confidently.

To his clients, Mr. Rankin is approachable and friendly. He excels at building trusting relationships with all his clients, regardless of their backgrounds. At his firm, he ensures that everyone feels respected and valued.

Choosing Mark means choosing a lawyer who is knowledgeable, accessible and committed to representing your best interests. He would be happy to help you navigate your legal challenges.

The Types Of Federal Crimes The Firm Handles

Federal crimes are criminal issues where the federal government takes on the prosecution. These can be cases that the federal government has. Mark Rankin’s practice also covers such cases as:

  • Fraud charges: in the Middle District of Florida can include bank fraud, False Claims Act violations, wire fraud and other such issues.
  • Tax evasion: Violating the law to avoid taxes can lead to serious legal consequences.
  • Drug crimes: Many drug crimes come with federal consequences, especially if there are instances of drug conspiracies or alleged possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Federal drug cases in the Middle District of Florida often come with severe penalties for a guilty plea or unfavorable verdict.
  • Sex offenses: These federal offenses include crimes such as possession or distribution of child pornography and human trafficking.
  • Firearms offenses: Examples of federal offenses include illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or trafficking firearms across state lines without a license.
  • White collar crimes: At the federal level, these crimes often involve complex financial schemes, including embezzlement, insider trading and tax evasion.

The firm’s mix of skills honed over decades of practice, as well as a commitment to personalized service, make a difference for you. Mark can take federal criminal cases from across the United States.

The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A., Moves Quickly To Defend You

Mark Rankin’s over 20 years of experience as a Florida federal criminal attorney allows him to act quickly and accurately answer your every question. As he has extensive experience with the entire range of federal charges, he can make a difference for you today in such matters as:

Bond Hearings

The bond hearing is one of the earliest points in which you can engage an attorney. In federal court for the Middle District of Florida, you will appear before a judge to determine whether you will be released pending trial and set a bond amount. Skilled intervention here can lead to pretrial release or a more affordable bail. This gives you freedom while your attorney prepares for trial. Being free on bond allows you to more easily participate in your own defense, work to support yourself and your family, and avoid incarceration before being convicted of any crime.

Revocation Of Supervised Release

Convicts of federal crimes often leave prison on a form of probation called “supervised release.” However, supervised release is conditional. Violations can send you back to prison. You do have rights in this process, and Mark will take steps on your behalf to preserve your release. Mark also frequently obtains court orders to terminate state and federal probation and supervised release early.

Airport Crimes

Airports have heavy security. This naturally leads to a higher incidence of arrests and criminal charges, especially drug and gun-related crimes. You may face state or federal crimes but with the added hurdle of extensive video and audio evidence. No matter the case against you, attorney Rankin’s diligence and experience can help you settle or defend the case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Criminal Defense In Florida

If you face a criminal charge either in federal court or in Florida court, you will face a great deal of uncertainty and stress – and have a lot of questions. The key is finding answers that you can trust.

At The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A., attorney Mark Rankin has the experience and skill to provide you with fast, meaningful answers about criminal law in Florida and federal courts. He works hard for clients across the greater Tampa Bay area and west central Florida to find answers to their specific questions. To get started, here are a few answers to the questions he gets the most:

What do I do if I am charged with a federal crime?

If you are charged with a federal crime, you must do two things immediately. The first is to request a lawyer to safeguard your rights. Your lawyer will be able to advise you and advocate for you at every step. Once you state that you do not want to speak without counsel present, law enforcement MUST stop speaking to you immediately.

The second thing, and arguably the most important thing you can do for yourself, is to stop talking. Utilizing your right to remain silent – a right protected by the Fifth Amendment – will keep the prosecution from using your own attempts to explain your situation against you.

How do I know if I am about to be charged with a federal crime?

Some crimes begin with local investigations and become federal matters later. Conversely, federal investigations rarely lead to state charges. There are many “hints” about whether your charges will be federal or not, such as the venue and the title of the individual charging you. If a federal prosecutor sends you what’s called a Target Letter, that means federal charges are imminent and you need a lawyer immediately. Federal agents may also visit you at home or at work. Make sure to get their contact info and inform them that you will only speak with counsel present. Overall, the most effective way to know what you’re facing is to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

How do I get out of jail if I’m charged with a crime?

Getting out of jail after the prosecution files a charge is relatively straightforward. You will have to post a bail bond or get a judge to set conditions of release without a bail bond. In some cases, a judge may release you on your own recognizance or with a “signature bond” where you do not have to post actual bail or collateral. Attorney Mark Rankin prioritizes getting your bond matter into court quickly so your release can happen as soon as possible.

What do I do if law enforcement comes to my house at night?

If law enforcement comes to your home or business, demanding entrance with a warrant, you have no choice but to permit the search and collect a receipt (“warrant return”) to account for anything taken from the property. Anything less than compliance can see you face either physical or legal danger. The question of whether their warrant or reason for entering your home was legal can be settled later. As always, protect yourself by speaking to law enforcement ONLY with an attorney present. Once you tell law enforcement that you want counsel, they must stop asking you questions.

However, if law enforcement visits you at home without a warrant, you are under no obligation to allow them into your home. Law enforcement may lead you to believe that you have no choice or convince you to give them permission to search. Be strong in your convictions and do not consent to anything without the advice of counsel. When law enforcement is at your door, call or text Mark Rankin while they are still present so that he may speak to them directly.

What do I do if the police want to search my vehicle?

If a law enforcement officer asks to search your car, you have the right to say no. You can even ask them if they have a reason to search your vehicle. It’s possible refusing an initial request will delay a search only momentarily because a police officer may invoke probable cause at that time; that delay is vital. If an officer’s probable cause is in any way faulty, anything they find is unusable, whereas anything an officer finds in an invited search is usable.

Who decides if I will be charged with a crime?

While law enforcement may decide whether there is probable cause for an arrest, only the prosecuting attorney decides whether to charge you with a crime. There is a serious calculation that all prosecutors do when given a criminal file by investigators. If the evidence does not look strong enough to secure a conviction, they may choose to forgo a charge. Hiring a lawyer BEFORE you are charged can result in avoiding charges altogether. It is imperative that you hire counsel quickly before the prosecutor has made a charging decision based only upon the information provided by law enforcement. When he intervenes early, your lawyer may be able to prevent charges from being filed at all or get lesser charges filed.

I have a criminal record. Can I get my record “cleared?”

In Florida, there is an opportunity for sealing or expungement of some criminal convictions. However, it is almost impossible to secure a federal expungement. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss whether your prior arrest or court record can be sealed or expunged.

Resources

Below are some resources you can use to familiarize yourself with the court system in the area:

These resources are simply a starting place for you to build your knowledge. To know how to properly defend yourself, you will need the assistance of a skilled attorney.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today

The moment you find yourself under investigation, as soon as possible after your arrest or if you want a second opinion about your pending case, contact The Law Office of Mark P. Rankin, P.A. Mark Rankin will take on your case and help. Call 877-620-0898 or send an email using this form to get started.